Travelin' to the Theater

For the last three nights I have been "traveling" to the theater in Los Angeles. These last three nights could not be more different.

Let me start with 'Night Mother. I saw a staged reading at Theatre 40 and saw a mother and daughter play the mother and daughter in 'Night Mother. I had read the play years ago and found the subject (suicide) so difficult to read so for me to see a dear friend, Lia Sargent and her mother, Mary Carver, playing the roles was not easy. I was so pleased to see that Lia Sargent ( a wonderful creative actress) and her mother Mary Carver ( a veteran actress with a profound and deep suitcase of history in the theater) give themselves up to a wonderful literary piece. I was honored that Lia wanted me there and the pain and sadness mixed with humor and love touched me deeply. I hope they decide to do a full blown performance.

On Monday night I went to Glendale, California to see The Musical Theatre Guild's Broadway in Concert Series to see 70 Girls 70. This musical opened in NYC in 1971 and hopefully that is why people in their 60s are portrayed as people who's lives are over.

Now that I have gotten that out let me tell you that I did love so much about this show. I loved the actors, the music and the charm of this piece. When a show dresses up the piano player who is male in a dress and calls him Lorraine all night long I am ready to go with you on this trip. I will say that everyone was wonderful in the show but let me just give a special nod to some people.

Marsha Kramer, you always are a pro and you are as good and strong as ever playing the role of Ida. I especially enjoyed Paul Keith and Christopher Callen in their touching and charming duet. Such love and tenderness should be noticed.

Helen Geller you are amazing. Stay on that stage my dear.

I loved the Go visit Your Grandmother song but you could have removed The Elephant Song or at least half of it.

It was a wonderful night in the theater. God Bless the Musical Theatre.


So Tuesday night we headed downtown for Leap of Faith at the Ahmanson Theatre. Of course it is previews so I guess I shouldn't be sharing but hey I can't stop myself cause hey I went to a performance right. Okay I am moving forward on this one.

First of all how many times can writers rewrite the story of the Rainmaker? Come on people mix up. Change where you do it. Cornfields and Kansas. It has been done people. Make the Midwest the patsy again. Come on why couldn't a preacher come and con a whole lotta a people in a city. There certainly are enough religious con men in Los Angeles and probably other cities too. So you see a group of people portrayed as sheep could be anywhere so why choose the Midwest again. Is it because corn fields look so good on stage? Anyway enough consider another choice writers.

Now let's look at this show in particular. I went to this show wondering if Brooks Shield could pull it off and I found that I think she did a better job in justifying her role than the male co-star. Raul Esparza never got me to believe him. He has a lot of charm and voice and style but somehow this was not his role for me. But it might be the script or the direction. Not sure about that.

I can't help but come back to the book/story of this play. I just didn't believe when "she" connected with "he" and when "he" decided to change. That I feel is the problem with the book of this musical. You just didn't give these characters a big enough reason to change and also the right moment when they change.

You didn't get me and when I listened to the audience they didn't go that extra mile either.

The strange thing is the Second Act was better than the First Act. That is unusual in new shows. Fix the First Act please.

I do love musicals and you tied up the end well but the first act needs work.

Good luck. Well I'm home and hoping to be thrilled by the events coming up this next weekend.

Go out and find a show to see or music to listen to but find some creative artists to enjoy and support.

Do it now.

Traveling Every Day In Your LIfe

I would love to travel more than I do but I realized the other day that we are travelers every day whether it is close to home or miles and miles away. But what kind of travelers are we? Are we good travelers? Do we learn something new each day or do we wait for some big trip to have experiences.

My friends sometimes chuckle when I share some conversation I had with a stranger in the post office line. But why not have an experience with someone you don't know? It may bring a smile to you and them. It may even make their day and hopefully yours.

I hope that some where out there a stranger to me shares a little story with his friend or family about the smile we shared.

Yes it happens more often when I am on a trip to a far away place but I like to think it happens often to me when I am at home too.

I hope you will consider having those special times, those special moments each day whether you are waiting for your ham sandwich with Swiss cheese at the deli counter or at the bank when you listen in to some people's conversation ahead of you.

It can make my day ( in a good way not like Clint Eastwood's Make My Day)

I hope it can your day special too.

Enjoy traveling every day.